According to insiders BMW is working on an X4 - a baby X6 if you will. It’s still un-named but insiders say that the SAC, SAV, SUV or whatever you want to call it, will borrow styling from the X6. Sources say that it will be a tall five-door fastback with all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive available. Makes sense since we just heard the X1 will be available with rear-wheel-drive as well.

what is it for?, why now in this climate, the X6 was a gamble and it has been a real success in the UK, sales are really going well, but this, I am not so sure.

This will be a 4 Door Coupe based on the 2nd Gen X3 platform.It will be to the X3 what the X6 is to the X5.It will probably be labeled SAS...Sports Activity Sedan,the SAS name has been trademarked by BMW.The car will be built in SC if it's approved for production.The bet here locally is that it will happen.The SAS will marry up some qualities of the X cars...higher ride height,larger interior volume than a sedan,AND the better handling qualities of a sedan.The X3 and the 3 Series get married and have an SAS!!!!BMW Senior Mgt loves the look of the X6 and wants to roll the "coupe" look through as many concepts as is feasible.The new PAS (Progressive Activity Sedan) comes to mind.I'll keep you posted as I learn more. Thanks! PalBay

This will be a 4 Door Coupe based on the 2nd Gen X3 platform.It will be to the X3 what the X6 is to the X5.It will probably be labeled SAS...Sports Activity Sedan,the SAS name has been trademarked by BMW.The car will be built in SC if it's approved for production.The bet here locally is that it will happen.The SAS will marry up some qualities of the X cars...higher ride height,larger interior volume than a sedan,AND the better handling qualities of a sedan.The X3 and the 3 Series get married and have an SAS!!!!BMW Senior Mgt loves the look of the X6 and wants to roll the "coupe" look through as many concepts as is feasible.The new PAS (Progressive Activity Sedan) comes to mind.I'll keep you posted as I learn more. Thanks! PalBay

This would be good if comes out as a "baby x6" with 4 doors my wife would turn in her 330i for it. But must have 4 doors , wife says 2 door loaners she has had are terrible for opening at the mall parking lot ( she says doors are larger in 2 door models). Anyway hope PalBay's version makes it.

what is it for?, why now in this climate, the X6 was a gamble and it has been a real success in the UK, sales are really going well, but this, I am not so sure.

A study came out a few years ago regarding customer desires and safety.

The government HTSA wants high bumpers lowered, and low bumpers raised so they is a better chance of the bumpers meeting during a collision.

Second, American's are aging. The average person affording a BMW is 40-80 years old. The survey showed they preferred cars in which they did not have to bend over and cram into.

Hence the start of the crossover market. A higher riding vehicle that is safer than a lower small sedan. We have aready seen large truck bumpers lowered the past few years.

The next step is to get mileage up. Since the cross overs have a lot of spare room underneath, they are perfect for hybrid or some other electric power plant without giving up interior storage space.

I also think many American's are getting tired of paying for a sports coupe, a luxury sedan, and an SUV. The luxury cross overs from BMW roll all three into one vehicle. So it may burn more gas in its current form, the cost savings by not have two more vehicles far out weighs fuel costs.

I think this is why the X5 (although not a crossover) has been so successful. It actually rides better than a 3/5/6 series mostly due to added weight. The command view is nice and there is lots of utility and luxury.

This would be good if comes out as a "baby x6" with 4 doors my wife would turn in her 330i for it. But must have 4 doors , wife says 2 door loaners she has had are terrible for opening at the mall parking lot ( she says doors are larger in 2 door models). Anyway hope PalBay's version makes it.

A study came out a few years ago regarding customer desires and safety.

The government HTSA wants high bumpers lowered, and low bumpers raised so they is a better chance of the bumpers meeting during a collision.

Second, American's are aging. The average person affording a BMW is 40-80 years old. The survey showed they preferred cars in which they did not have to bend over and cram into.

Hence the start of the crossover market. A higher riding vehicle that is safer than a lower small sedan. We have aready seen large truck bumpers lowered the past few years.

The next step is to get mileage up. Since the cross overs have a lot of spare room underneath, they are perfect for hybrid or some other electric power plant without giving up interior storage space.

I also think many American's are getting tired of paying for a sports coupe, a luxury sedan, and an SUV. The luxury cross overs from BMW roll all three into one vehicle. So it may burn more gas in its current form, the cost savings by not have two more vehicles far out weighs fuel costs.

I think this is why the X5 (although not a crossover) has been so successful. It actually rides better than a 3/5/6 series mostly due to added weight. The command view is nice and there is lots of utility and luxury.

Bingo....you nailed it.The 3 cars into one is missed by virtually everyone in this type conversation.That basic fact is huge in days of limited oil supplies/$4.00 gas.The X6 is a perfect example of this business model.The X6 drives to 7/10's of any Sport Sedan you want to match it against.I can already hear the M3/M5 crowd screaming.But its true.Unless you track the cars or just have a hardon against SUV's..the crossovers can now hang w/ the Sport Sedans on driving dynamics.And you can get all your s**t in the X6.Thanks! PalBay

BMW STOP DOING THIS, there is no fucking point in making 3 suv's not alone 4. i mean WHO the hell is this car competition for ?? there is no freaking way bmw is doing this, we need more regular cars like sedans and coupes, give us 8 series or 4 series or whatever the hack you want to make, except STOP making this man SUV,SAV or SAC or whatever the heck you want to call it. POINTLESSSSSSSSSS.

BMW STOP DOING THIS, there is no fucking point in making 3 suv's not alone 4. i mean WHO the hell is this car competition for ?? there is no freaking way bmw is doing this, we need more regular cars like sedans and coupes, give us 8 series or 4 series or whatever the hack you want to make, except STOP making this man SUV,SAV or SAC or whatever the heck you want to call it. POINTLESSSSSSSSSS.

BMW has been caught in the regular sedan market by Lexus and Infiniti and Acura. Their not BMW's but close enough and a hell of a lot cheaper.

BMW will now focus on niche luxury markets.

Anything that BMW cannot get full retail for in the U.S. will be sold overseas.

Expect European delivery discounts to go away.

Expect leasing to decline drastically.

Expect the $350 per month 3 series lease payment to be a distant memory.

The low end coupe and sedan market will move to Japanese. A $65k 3 series simply does not sell in the U.S. Just look at M3 sales. No one would have thought the X6 would outsell an M3. BMW cannot make money selling $35-$45k 3 series. In the end, all they did was lease 3 series to those who cannot afford the cars to begin with and took a 1 billion loss as a result.

Besides the X6, I also own a 2008 VW GTI. It is everything the 3 series used to be and more. Granted it is FWD vs. RDW, but it is 1/2 the cost, 1/3 better mileage, and bascially the same features.

Don't get me wrong, I love the 3 series, but if you have tunnel vision you will miss the real values out there.

BMW has been caught in the regular sedan market by Lexus and Infiniti and Acura. Their not BMW's but close enough and a hell of a lot cheaper.

BMW will now focus on niche luxury markets.

Anything that BMW cannot get full retail for in the U.S. will be sold overseas.

Expect European delivery discounts to go away.

Expect leasing to decline drastically.

Expect the $350 per month 3 series lease payment to be a distant memory.

The low end coupe and sedan market will move to Japanese. A $65k 3 series simply does not sell in the U.S. Just look at M3 sales. No one would have thought the X6 would outsell an M3. BMW cannot make money selling $35-$45k 3 series.

I agree with most of what you are saying, but believe me BMW is making A LOT of money selling 35-45k 3 series. If it didnt it wouldnt be in business right now.

"...it's not about the money and not about the brand of the car, it's about handling,performance and passion......And that, no other car has all together like an M3........when you talk about the most complete car the M is invincible." --Tony Kanaan.